July – a test for agricultural crops

On most days of the first and second ten-day periods of July, agrometeorological conditions will continue to be determined by unstable weather, with frequent precipitation, which will hinder the most important activity of the season – the wheat harvest and the timely treatment against diseases and pests in agricultural crops. The above-normal June rainfall in most parts of the country, with the exception of the southeastern regions, has worsened the phytosanitary status of vegetable crops and fruit trees, and in some places in the western regions has led to compromised cherry yields.

During the first and second ten-day periods of July, an increased likelihood of intensive, substantial  precipitation and hail is again forecast – yet another challenge for agricultural crops and a risk of scattering the ripe grain harvest. During this period, the vegetation of spring crops with good moisture supply will proceed at a moderate rate, under mean daily temperatures close to the climatic norms. In maize, depending on its earliness, different stages will be observed: leaf formation, tasselling, flowering of the tassel and silking. In sunflower in the field areas,  flowering, fertilization and grain filling will take place.

During the third ten-day period, the development of agricultural crops will proceed under the typical warm conditions for the end of July. In this period, extremely high maximum temperatures are forecast, in places up to 38-39°C, which will adversely affect flowering and fertilization in vegetable crops and in later maize hybrids. During the ten-day period, early maize hybrids will enter the milk ripeness stage. In sunflower sown within the agrotechnical time frame, in places in the Danubian Plain, the onset of the ripening stage will be observed.

The forecast relatively dry and hot weather during the third ten-day period of July will limit the development of a number of fungal diseases, with the exception of powdery mildews in fruit trees, vegetable crops and vines. In fruit crops, control of the second generation of fruit moths should not be underestimated. Treatments against diseases and pests must be carried out during the cooler hours of the day, using plant protection products with an appropriate pre-harvest interval, in line with the ripening period of the crops.

Source: NIMH